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Florida Springs Council

@flspringscouncil.bsky.social
126 followers 39 following 107 posts

Policy, law and advocacy for Florida’s Springs.

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Florida Springs Council @flspringscouncil.bsky.social · 14/01/2026
“Tobacco Patch Springs came to life as a turquoise shaft of light in a brown patch of mud. Cannon Springs emerged on its forested bank like a blue-crystalline lens, offering a view of what a restored Ocklawaha might one day look like.” It’s time to restore the Ocklawaha & save the “lost” springs!
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Florida Springs Council @flspringscouncil.bsky.social · 14/01/2026
‘A “weird, wondrous, magical” river’ 📰 Check out this National Geographic article about the magic of exploring the #OcklawahaRiver during a drawdown and the current push to #ReunitetheRivers with the “The Rivers, Springs and Community Investment Act” www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/...
nationalgeographic.com
See a ghost 'fairyland' forest reemerge in Florida
Sixty years ago, these freshwater springs and forests were drowned by a 9,500-acre reservoir. Could the ecosystem finally be restored?
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Florida Springs Council @flspringscouncil.bsky.social · 20/11/2025
Initial reactions to HB 479: Land and Water Management by Rep. Maggard 🙄🤦‍♀️🫨🫣 #florida #floridalaw #floridasprings #floridaland #floridawater #watermanagement
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Florida Springs Council @flspringscouncil.bsky.social · 19/11/2025
CITIZENS LOBBY TRAINING HAPPENING LIVE ON FACEBOOK AND YOUTUBE NOW www.facebook.com/share/v/1Fsj...
facebook.com
Redirecting...
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Florida Springs Council @flspringscouncil.bsky.social · 17/11/2025
🚨Single-use plastics harm wildlife & contaminate our drinking water. SB 240 is a practical solution that provides a path forward for local govs to regulate plastic pollution in their communities. Take a moment to email the senators voting on SB 240 TOMORROW!
floridaspringscouncil.good.do
Take action with me to protect Florida's Springs during the 2026 Legislative Session
Our springs need your help! Use your voice to speak up for Florida springs, conservation lands and wildlife. The Florida Springs Council makes it easy to contact lawmakers with pre-written emails. Pro...
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Reposted by Florida Springs Council
Florida Native Plant Society @fnps.bsky.social · 04/11/2025
Join the @flspringscouncil.bsky.social for a deep dive into Florida's Legislative Session and lobbying for springs 🏛️ PART 5 OF THE SPRINGS ADVOCACY 101 SERIES 💦 🗓️ Wednesday, November 19 at 6:30 p.m. buff.ly/Bx7C590
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Florida Springs Council @flspringscouncil.bsky.social · 13/11/2025
🚨ACTION ALERT: SB 240 is being voted on by the Senate Environment and Natural Resources committee on Nov. 18 👏 This is a GOOD bill to protect home rule & keep trash out of our waterways! ⁠ ⁠ 🔗 Click here to email the senators who will vote on this bill: floridaspringscouncil.good.do/2026legislat...
floridaspringscouncil.good.do
Take action with me to protect Florida's Springs during the 2026 Legislative Session
Our springs need your help! Use your voice to speak up for Florida springs, conservation lands and wildlife. The Florida Springs Council makes it easy to contact lawmakers with pre-written emails. Pro...
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Florida Springs Council @flspringscouncil.bsky.social · 17/10/2025
Are you planning to attend one of our upcoming events? Hope to see you at one of our paddles, webinars or markets soon!
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Florida Springs Council @flspringscouncil.bsky.social · 29/09/2025
It’s ABOUT DAM TIME to restore the Ocklawaha River 👏 Join the Florida Springs Council in voicing support for state decision makers to take action to approve restoration of the Ocklawaha River in 2026. TAKE ACTION TODAY: Visit ItsAboutDamTime.org to sign the Pledge to Restore the Ocklawaha River ✍️
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Reposted by Florida Springs Council
Craig Pittman @craigtimes.bsky.social · 18/09/2025
Column: The push to create a #Florida Springs National Park doesn't spring from a desire to really fix what's wrong with the springs. My latest for @floridaphoenix.com also features shout-outs to Samuel Taylor Coleridge and the Fantastic Four. floridaphoenix.com/2025/09/18/n...
floridaphoenix.com
National park proposed for Florida springs doesn’t spring from desire to fix problems • Florida Phoenix
Florida has three national parks — Everglades, Biscayne, and Dry Tortugas, all in the southern end of the state. Now newbie U.S. Rep. Randy Fine of Brevard County wants to create a fourth one, this ti...
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Florida Springs Council @flspringscouncil.bsky.social · 16/09/2025
“If we make it easy for them by having quotas, having restrictions on how to vacation, we can get a lot of the way there,” Smart said. “There’s very little I’ve ever seen that’s as beautiful as launching your kayak on the north end of Ichetucknee.”
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Florida Springs Council @flspringscouncil.bsky.social · 16/09/2025
📰 “We don’t want to love our springs to death,” he (FSC Executive Director Ryan Smart) said. “But I also believe that in order to protect something, you have to love it, and to love it, you have to experience it.” www.wuft.org/environment/...
wuft.org
Residents worry that foot traffic hurts Ichetucknee Springs; some experts say otherwise
Recent reports praising north central Florida’s Ichetucknee Springs prompted some area residents to post concerned comments on social media about excessive use of the area.
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Florida Springs Council @flspringscouncil.bsky.social · 15/09/2025
“It worries me that we would take something that [belongs to] the citizens of Florida … and we would give them up to another level of government that we will have less say or input,” Smart said.
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Florida Springs Council @flspringscouncil.bsky.social · 04/09/2025
“I think that it’s a well-intentioned idea. It’s just not what we need to protect Florida springs. And if that’s the goal, let’s do the things that we need.” - Florida Springs Council Executive Director Ryan Smart www.cfpublic.org/environment/...
cfpublic.org
Springs advocates aren’t convinced by proposal to consider Florida Springs National Park
A Florida Congressman wants the federal government to consider a Florida Springs National Park. Environmental stakeholders are skeptical.
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Florida Springs Council @flspringscouncil.bsky.social · 29/08/2025
📰 “We just have too much pollution going into the ground and too much water coming out of the ground,” said Ryan Smart, executive director of the nonprofit Florida Springs Council. “And when you get that combination, you end up with springs that are no longer blue and vibrant and full of life.”
apnews.com
Florida's once-pristine springs threatened by pollution, development and climate change
Florida boasts at least 1,000 freshwater springs, more than any other U.S. state. They are all under threats from agricultural pollution, stress from rapid development and from climate change that is ...
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Florida Springs Council @flspringscouncil.bsky.social · 20/08/2025
Springs Advocacy 101 PART 2 - A deep dive into FDEP’s Springs BMAPs with experts on agricultural pollution, septic tanks & urban fertilizer. 🗓️ Aug. 27 @ 6:30 PM 💻 FB and YouTube m.youtube.com/watch?v=_PpM...
m.youtube.com
Springs Advocacy 101: Why Are Florida Springs Still So Polluted
YouTube video by Florida Springs Council
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Florida Springs Council @flspringscouncil.bsky.social · 13/08/2025
NEW ALBUM DROP 💿 The Life of a S̶h̶o̶w̶g̶i̶r̶l̶ Springs Advocate Day in the life of a #SpringsAdvocate: Showing up at the Capitol to meet with legislators, attending Legislative Session committee meetings, emailing decision makers & getting outdoors to enjoy Florida’s incredible natural spaces 🏛️🥾🛶
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Florida Springs Council @flspringscouncil.bsky.social · 13/08/2025
SPRINGS ADVOCACY 101 💦 Now time to dive into the policies & programs that impact springs protection! (1/3)
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Florida Springs Council @flspringscouncil.bsky.social · 12/08/2025
Nearly 90% of Outstanding FL Springs are impaired by pollution & pollution in our springs continues to INCREASE! ⁠ 🗓️8/27 at 6:30 pm: FSC will go live to discuss the details & shortcomings of FDEP’s plans to cleanup polluted springs 🔗 Livestream: www.facebook.com/share/16wnx5... ⁠ 📷️: Alan Youngblood⁠
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Florida Springs Council @flspringscouncil.bsky.social · 07/08/2025
NEW SHIRTS 🔥 @oldfloridavibes.bsky.social Get yours today: go.rallyup.com/springs-shop...
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Florida Springs Council @flspringscouncil.bsky.social · 24/07/2025
#ICYMI Our first Springs Advocacy 101 discussion is available to watch now! FSC Director Ryan Smart provided an insightful overview of BMAPs, MFLs, water use permits, springs protection zones, best management practices, comp plans, local ordinances & MORE! Watch now: www.youtube.com/watch?v=A4dF...
youtube.com
Springs Advocacy 101 💦 Players & Policies
YouTube video by Florida Springs Council
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Florida Springs Council @flspringscouncil.bsky.social · 23/07/2025
TONIGHT @ 6:30 PM
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Florida Springs Council @flspringscouncil.bsky.social · 21/07/2025
DON’T MISS OUR SPRINGS ADVOCACY 101 WEBINAR THIS WEDNESDAY AT 6:30 P.M. 💦 Dive in to the basics of water policy with the Florida Springs Council www.facebook.com/share/1FEL2X...
facebook.com
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Florida Springs Council @flspringscouncil.bsky.social · 17/07/2025
FDEP is failing our springs. Here’s how: 1/3
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Florida Springs Council @flspringscouncil.bsky.social · 27/06/2025
A win for Florida: The #KILLTHEDRILL bill was just signed by the Governor, banning oil drilling in Apalachicola 👏 Shoutout to the folks with The Downriver Project, Apalachicola Riverkeeper & all the local leaders + advocates who fought hard to protect the Forgotten Coast 🙌
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Florida Springs Council @flspringscouncil.bsky.social · 22/05/2025
🚨 BREAKING NEWS: Governor DeSantis just signed the State Parks protection bill prohibiting golf courses, hotels, pickleball courts and more in Florida State Parks 👏 A HUGE WIN FOR FLORIDA’S ENVIRONMENT THANKS TO YOUR ADVOCACY AND PERSISTENCE 🙌
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Florida Springs Council @flspringscouncil.bsky.social · 21/05/2025
BREAKING: The State Parks Protection Bill has been sent to Governor DeSantis ‼️ He has 7 days to act on the bill, and he indicated a few weeks ago that he would sign the bill!
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Florida Springs Council @flspringscouncil.bsky.social · 03/05/2025
Thanks to everyone who contacted legislators, joined us in Tallahassee to speak directly to lawmakers, & worked with us to defeat the bad trash bills‼️ This is a result of all the orgs & advocates who kept the pressure on lawmakers & fought HARD to protect Florida’s water, wildlife & communities👏
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Florida Springs Council @flspringscouncil.bsky.social · 03/05/2025
BREAKING: The bill that would have eliminated local single-use container regulations DIED in the Florida House👏🙌 Through all of today’s twists and turns, HB 1609 did not pass the House Floor - Once again, we’ve kept local regulations of single-use containers in place💪 Thank you, springs advocates!
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Florida Springs Council @flspringscouncil.bsky.social · 02/05/2025
After the Senate tried, for a second time, to force the bad trash language onto HB 1609, the Florida House REFUSED TO ACCEPT the Senate’s amendment 🙌 Rep. Weinberger once again STAYED STRONG in protecting local plastic regulations & safeguarding our water resources! HB 1609 heads back to the Senate.
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Florida Springs Council @flspringscouncil.bsky.social · 01/05/2025
BREAKING: The House just AMENDED HB 1609, the bad trash bill, to REMOVE the plastic preemption language ‼️ This is huge! HB 1609 heads BACK to the Senate without the trash language - The Senate will have to vote on the bill again! 👏
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Florida Springs Council @flspringscouncil.bsky.social · 01/05/2025
GOOD NEWS: STATE PARKS BILL JUST PASSED THE HOUSE FLOOR UNANIMOUSLY, PROHIBITING GOLF COURSES, HOTELS & OTHER HARMFUL DEVELOPMENT IN FLORIDA'S STATE PARKS 🥳 🙌 🤝 💪 😤
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Florida Springs Council @flspringscouncil.bsky.social · 30/04/2025
HB 1143, the bill that would ban oil drilling near the Apalachicola River, just PASSED the house floor 🙌👏 The bill is headed to the Governor’s desk! Huge thanks to Rep. Shoaf and Senator Simon & Shoutout to Downriver Project, Apalachicola Riverkeeper and the local folks who fought to #KILLTHEDRILL💪
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Florida Springs Council @flspringscouncil.bsky.social · 30/04/2025
URGENT: One more chance to STOP the bad trash bill. Tell your Senator to vote NO on HB 1609 ‼️ The Florida Senate will be back in session at 10 a.m. & will vote on this bill TODAY! 🚮 Save local plastic regulations! 🕘 Act now 📧 Email your Senator now: floridaspringscouncil.good.do/2025legislat...
floridaspringscouncil.good.do
Take action with me to protect Florida's Springs during the 2025 Legislative Session
Our springs need your help! Use your voice to speak up for Florida springs, conservation lands and wildlife. The Florida Springs Council makes it easy to contact lawmakers with pre-written emails. Pro...
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Florida Springs Council @flspringscouncil.bsky.social · 30/04/2025
Even if you have already emailed or called on SB 1822, we encourage you to reach out to your Senator again and ask them to VOTE NO on HB 1609. ⁠ We know the vote will be close, and we need your calls and emails to tip the scale.
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Florida Springs Council @flspringscouncil.bsky.social · 30/04/2025
ACTION ALERT: BAD TRASH BILL🚨In a last minute move during the final week of Legislative Session, HB 1609 replaced SB 1822 & was amended to include the bad plastic preemption language - Our attention now shifts ⏩ to call on senators to VOTE NO ON HB 1609! floridaspringscouncil.good.do/2025legislat...
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Florida Springs Council @flspringscouncil.bsky.social · 28/04/2025
🚨 SB 1822, the bad trash bill, by Senator Martin was just temporarily postponed on the Senate Floor - The bill could be placed on the calendar again before the Legislative Session ends, but this gives us more time to tell Senators to VOTE NO on SB 1822 to keep trash out of our waterways ‼️
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Florida Springs Council @flspringscouncil.bsky.social · 27/04/2025
🚨Two major environmental bills will be voted on the Senate Floor this week: 🌳SB 80 (State Parks): Urge senators to pass the stronger house bill (HB 209) 🗑SB 1822 (Trash Bill): Urge senators to VOTE NO We’ve made it quick & easy to email your senator: floridaspringscouncil.good.do/2025legislat...
floridaspringscouncil.good.do
Take action with me to protect Florida's Springs during the 2025 Legislative Session
Our springs need your help! Use your voice to speak up for Florida springs, conservation lands and wildlife. The Florida Springs Council makes it easy to contact lawmakers with pre-written emails. Pro...
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Florida Springs Council @flspringscouncil.bsky.social · 22/04/2025
Senator Gruters’ amendment to SB 80 FAILED‼️ An unexpected, but encouraging, turn of events! Huge thanks to the senators who raised concerns with the language that would have allowed golf courses in state parks. SB 80 passed its final committee. We hope the bill will be strengthened to match HB 209.
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Florida Springs Council @flspringscouncil.bsky.social · 22/04/2025
Last night, Sen. Gruters filed another amendment to SB 80 (State Parks Bill). It still has concerning language, but thanks to your advocacy it is better than Gruters’ original amendment. If SB 80 passes in committee today with the substitute amendment, the bill will still not measure up to HB 209.
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Florida Springs Council @flspringscouncil.bsky.social · 21/04/2025
🚨 Amendment filed to the state park protection bill, SB 80, that would NOT PROHIBIT the development of a golf course at Jonathan Dickinson State Park, a resort at Anastasia State Park or other reckless development in our state parks - It’s time to take action again to stand up for our state parks‼️
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Florida Springs Council @flspringscouncil.bsky.social · 10/04/2025
SB 80, the State Park Protection Bill, by Senator Harrell is on the Appropriations Committee on Ag, Environment, and General Gov agenda on Tuesday, April 15‼️ We’re keeping an eye on it & we’re hopeful Senator Harrell will amend the bill to match the good bill (HB 209) that passed earlier this week!
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Florida Springs Council @flspringscouncil.bsky.social · 08/04/2025
GOOD NEWS: HB 209, the State Park Protection Bill, by Rep. Snyder PASSED AS AMENDED 👏 This bill is headed to the house floor with the strongest protections in place to keep golf courses, hotels, pickleball courts & other reckless development out of #FloridaStateParks!
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Florida Springs Council @flspringscouncil.bsky.social · 07/04/2025
UPDATE ON THE STATE PARK PROTECTIONS BILL (HB 209): Rep. Snyder filed an amendment that strengthens the bill, closes the concerning loopholes for developers & ensures the developments proposed in state parks last summer are prohibited 👏 The bill + amendment will be voted on April 8 at 8am!
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Florida Springs Council @flspringscouncil.bsky.social · 02/04/2025
UPDATE: THE AMENDMENT WAS WITHDRAWN! Thank you to everyone who acted quickly and called Senator Rodriguez! We’ll keep an eye on this bill.
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Florida Springs Council @flspringscouncil.bsky.social · 02/04/2025
🚨 Silver Glen Springs Protection Zone is under threat: Senator Truenow filed an amendment to SB 164 by Rodriguez that would limit the Silver Glen SPZ to within 230 feet of the springs vent (not much more protective than restrictions already in place). Call Rodriguez & ask her to OPPOSE the amendment
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Florida Springs Council @flspringscouncil.bsky.social · 01/04/2025
🚨 GOOD NEWS: HB 565, the bad trash bill, was temporarily postponed this morning! We appreciate Rep. Blanco for putting the brakes on this bad bill 👏 This is a step in the right direction! Thank you to the advocates & organizations who joined us at the Capitol 🙌
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Florida Springs Council @flspringscouncil.bsky.social · 22/03/2025
Reality ☑️: We can't achieve water quality goals w/out increasing springs restoration funding‼️ Yet, FDEP & Gov DeSantis continue to request $50 million annually. Join us in asking for increased springs funding: floridaspringscouncil.good.do/2025legislativesession/Springs-Restoration-Funding/
floridaspringscouncil.good.do
Take action with me to protect Florida's Springs during the 2025 Legislative Session
Our springs need your help! Use your voice to speak up for Florida springs, conservation lands and wildlife. The Florida Springs Council makes it easy to contact lawmakers with pre-written emails. Pro...
020
Florida Springs Council @flspringscouncil.bsky.social · 22/03/2025
Springs restoration has been continuously underfunded compared to other environmental priorities in Florida, typically receiving only $50 million per year, the minimum allowable under Florida Statutes - Florida’s springs deserve more than the bare minimum 😤
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Florida Springs Council @flspringscouncil.bsky.social · 21/03/2025
🚨 ACTION ALERT 🚨 Join us in calling on senators to allocate $150 million to springs restoration this year to protect these important cultural & economic resources‼️ 🔗 Send an email to the senators who will discuss the 2025-26 DEP Budget on March 26: floridaspringscouncil.good.do/2025legislat...
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